Rhode Island Women’s Basketball Bolsters Roster with Three Key Transfers, Four Freshmen
The University of Rhode Island women’s basketball team has significantly revamped its roster with the addition of three graduate transfers and four freshmen, aiming to address offensive deficiencies from the previous season and contend for an Atlantic 10 championship.
Head coach Tammi Reiss strategically targeted experienced players, bringing in Brooklyn Gray from Saint Louis, Ta’Viyanna Habib from George Mason, and Valentina Ojeda from VCU. “We struggled to do it, so we went out and found some players that could really dribble, pass and shoot at a very high level,” Reiss said. These additions follow a similar formula used in 2022-23, when Reiss successfully integrated a trio of in-conference transfers. The Rams finished last season with a 17-16 record, falling to Saint Joseph’s in the Atlantic 10 Championships after a win against George Washington.
Reiss emphasized the immediate impact these graduate transfers are expected to have, noting their prior success within the conference. “All three of them at some point in time have torched us,” she explained. “I respect all three’s games, I love their leadership and offensively they gave us everything we were looking for.” Brooklyn Gray, in particular, expressed excitement about joining the program, stating, “She [Reiss] ended up being everything I thought she was and more.” This influx of talent is particularly important as the Rams look to fill the void left by the departure of key players like Harsimran “Honey” Kaur and Sophie Phillips. The Atlantic 10 Conference is consistently competitive, and bolstering the roster is crucial for postseason success.
Beyond the transfers, Reiss highlighted the potential of returning players like Ines Debroise and Palmire Mbu, with Mbu being identified as a potential breakout star. The team will face challenging non-conference matchups against Albany on November 15, NC State on November 23, and Princeton on November 26. Reiss spent the entire offseason focused on team building, a change from previous years when she had Team USA commitments, and believes this focused preparation will pay dividends. You can find more information about the Atlantic 10 Conference here.
Reiss stated that the coaching staff expects significant contributions from Mbu this season, comparing her development to that of previous successful post players. The Rams will begin their season looking to build on last year’s performance and make a strong push for an A-10 title.
